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Last Updated on January 23, 2022 by Aimee
These Dog-Friendly Homemade Carob PUPcakes are sure to please your canine companion!
Before we begin, the obligatory disclaimer…
WARNING: CHOCOLATE is EXTREMELY TOXIC to your dogs. Carob is the SAFE ALTERNATIVE.
Related article: What to do if your dog eats chocolate (veterinarian written article)
With that in mind, let me tell you a bit more about these delicious bites. Since they are made of human-grade ingredients, you can also enjoy them 🙂
What is Carob Powder and is it safe for dogs?
For the dark color of these PUPcakes, I’m using carob powder.
Carob Powder does NOT contain chocolate and therefore it is a SAFE, dog-friendly alternative. It’s made from dried, roasted carob tree pods.
What does Carob Powder taste like?
Carob doesn’t taste exactly like chocolate, but it has a nutty flavor. It looks and performs like cocoa powder in baked goods with a sweet and unique taste. You can substitute carob powder 1:1 in any recipe that calls for cocoa powder. Carob is also available in chip form online or in stores like Walmart or Whole Foods.
I buy my organic carob powder on Amazon (*affiliate link)
I use unsweetened applesauce as an egg-replacer. It works very well in baked goods. 1/4 cup equals 1 large egg.
How to make Dog-Friendly Homemade Carob PUPcakes
Simply combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
Using a small scooper, place the batter into mini muffin pans that you have lined with mini muffin liners. Mine just happen to be hearts for Valentine’s Day. These will tend to stick if you use them directly in the pan, even with cooking spray. Just remember to remove that paper before treating your pup!
These are tiny, bite-sized PUPcakes. The scoop is about a half tablespoon and they bake up to about the size of a tablespoon or so. I do this purposefully to ensure we are treating pups responsibly. Everything in moderation applies to dogs too! 🙂 *affiliate link below
Allow the PUPcakes to cool enough to handle then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Just for fun, a light dusting of flour if you desire. This aesthetic is more for the human and less for the dog. Pretty sure your pup won’t even notice.
These bake up in just minutes and are easy to make a lot of if you are hosting a puppy birthday party.
Simply peel away the paper liner, ask your pup to sit or shake or whatever he/she likes to do and let them enjoy their bite.
My dogs absolutely love these and I have been making them for years.
The PUPcakes also freeze really well if you’d like to make some ahead. Place them in a single layer in a freezer safe container. Since they are so tiny, they take very little time to defrost.
Feel free to take a taste yourself. These are a dog-friendly human-grade treat!
Did you make these Dog-Friendly Homemade Carob PUPcakes? Leave me a comment below and let me know what your pup thought! You can also tag me with photos on Instagram.
Dog-Friendly Homemade Carob PUPcakes
Equipment
- Mini Muffin/Cupcake Pan
- Mini Muffin/Cupcake Liners
- 1/2 Tablespoon Scoop (or Measuring Spoon)
Ingredients
- 3/4 c All Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 3 tbsp CAROB Powder DO NOT USE CHOCOLATE as it is TOXIC TO YOUR DOG!
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- pinch Salt optional
- 2 tbsp Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 c Water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line mini muffin cups with muffin liners.
- Combine all ingredients well until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.
- Using a small scoop, place about 1/2 tablespoon into each muffin liner. Do not overfill.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool slightly in the pan until you can handle them, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
- Dust with a bit of flour, if desired.
- Peel away the paper liner and allow your pet to enjoy!
